The opinion that all filters are the same so we might as well settle for cheap short-term options is a complete misconception. Water filtration is an interesting topic but one thing is for sure: getting your hands on the best whole house water filter on the market will definitely have an amazing effect on your whole household.

This is a radical solution to your water filtration woes as it will allow you to have purified water from every faucet in your home. There’s no day-to-day hassle related to such a product as you install it once and then only replace filters when they are worn out. We aren’t going to waste any more time explaining the upsides of a whole house filtration here because we have prepared a thorough guide for you to read.

Our article is kept simple but exceptionally informative. Our goal is to give you a heads up on the main points regarding the product. Speaking of product, our team has handpicked the top units available and have compiled objective reviews about whole house water filters. Check out all the sections and never waste your money on something you aren’t familiar with.

Best Whole House Water Filters (Editor’s Picks)

We kick off our buying guide with a review section containing our top picks. The filtration systems below are not listed in any particular order. Feel free to go through all of them because each product has something that sets it apart from all others. Who knows, you might find the right one somewhere in the middle.

1. Aquasana Whole House Water Filter

Here is one of the most advanced and most convenient whole house water filtration systems you will ever locate. The price, of course, is corresponding to the quality. But if you want to make no compromises when it comes to your drinking, cooking and washing water, then this long-term solution is for you. The life of this thing is about 1 000 000 gallons. Just as a reference, the average consumption of a regular household is about 15 000 gallons per year. It comes with a water softener thanks to the SimplySoft technology. The Aquasana Whole House Filter will remove 99.99% of all contaminants in your water. You can select a number of packs depending on your budget. Bear in mind that leaks might occur and proper installation is imperative. The system won’t remove fluoride. Another thing to watch for is to never use bleach-based liquids. This will surely damage the filter.

2. Culligan WH-HD200-C Whole House Heavy Duty Filter

The investment here is a very bearable one and this means that the Culligan WH-H200-C is a pretty neat value option. It is compatible with a number of Culligan cartridges so at the end of the day your expenses will depend on the type of filter you want to buy. The small size of the unit renders is very convenient to install even though it doesn’t come with any sort of housing. There are just two intakes – an inlet and an outlet. When it comes to legitimacy, you got nothing to worry about with this unit. It possesses a number of certificates against WQA standards and is compliant with a number of other regulations. There is a built-in LED indicator which will tell you when a filter change is due. On the downside, this indicator is pretty flimsy. When you are about to mount the filter, you might need to purchase some extra stuff from the hardware store such as bolts and nuts.

3. Express Water Whole House Filter System

Now we will look into a top quality product with a number of merits. It needs to be pointed out that the full set includes 3 cartridges and you cannot have just one or two. Another great benefit is the presence of a casing. Here the filtration takes place in 3 stages. The 1st filter will remove sediment while the 2nd cartridge specializes in getting rid of chlorine and its respective smell. The 3rd part of this system filters pesticides and some other chemicals rendering your water perfect for both drinking and cooking. Each cartridge is made out of 100% polypropylene. Another great perk is the informative water pressure gauge on top of each cartridge. If you can get over the above average price and the fact that there is no filter change indicator, you will be fine. When connecting the pipes and the cartridges, make sure you use Teflon tape to prevent leaks. This needs to be purchased separately.

4. Aqua Filter Plus Whole House Water Filter

Here’s a unit with which you are better off purchasing the more expensive package (the one which includes a 10-inch filter). Even with it, you will not have to spend a 3-digit sum to obtain a functional filter and a pretty sturdy cartridge. With the Aqua Filter Plus you can get only one unit even though it is always better if you string a few of these together. On the upside, if you get just one cartridge, you can use it during camping or in your RV. Installation is easy and no professional help is required. Another advantage is the presence of all the necessary parts within the set. You will not need to purchase anything separately in order to mount the unit. Fittings are easy to work with as there is no screwing or any other similar grueling process needed – just snap them together. A slight knock on the filter is the fact that the plastic is not very durable. It is BPA free but it won’t endure high temperatures.

5. 3M Aqua Pure AP903 Whole House Water Filtration System

The price you have to pay for just one cartridge is not little here but it just might be worth it. It can handle the impressive 100 000 before a filter change is needed. Unfortunately, when the time for a filter change arrives, you will not be prompted in any way about it. The only indication will be the low water pressure. Don’t let this distract you from the fact that the product is of a high quality. It features a steel head and BPA free body. You shouldn’t struggle to install this on your own. You only need to remember to flush the first 10 gallons of each new filter. No worries, the rate per minute can reach 20 gallons so it won’t take you long at all. An argument can be made that the filter should be slightly better than it is. The most “tricky” stuff isn’t removed from your water and bacteria and viruses will need to be filtered separately.

6. iSpring WGB22B 2-Stage Whole House Water Filtration System

The 2 stages of water filtration that you get with this whole house filter should be just enough to satisfy your needs. Again, you have the first level taking care of sediment in the water and the 2nd level dealing with everything else. And by everything else, we mean that you will have some chlorine-free water thanks to the carbon blocks located in the 2nd filter. Iron is also greatly reduced in quantity. A huge upside is that water pressure will be seldom reduced over time – a problem that many whole house filtration systems have. Additionally, this unit has cleared a number of certifications and most importantly the NSF/ANSI ones. Leaking may turn out to be an issue in case you haven’t done a good job installing the thing. It is also important to note that this device will not soften your water.

7. Culligan HD-950A Whole House Water Filter

Let’s get something out of the way – go with the heavy duty version of this product regardless of the quality of your water. It is simply the better deal. First of all, it is perfect if you use well water or want to apply the unit in an RV. That’s because Culligan makes filters compatible with all of their cartridges. Just pick the filter you want and you are all set. The built-in pressure relief valve is a useful addition. Thanks to it, you will be able to change the filter easily. We also have to point out all the certifications and standards that this whole house filter has cleared. It is fully WQA certified. A downside of this device is that it can’t handle too much water pressure. Avoid going over 70 PSI because you are risking to see some leaks. This is despite the fact that the manufacturer specifies that the maximum PSI is 125.

8. Watts WH-LD Premier Whole House Water Filtration System

Now the default filter that you get with this unit is not the best as it is a 50-micron one. In any case, you can use it, especially in the 1st cartridge. Then, for the remaining 2 cartridges, you can select different filters. It needs to be said that the effectiveness of just one cartridge here will not be enough for most households. The built-in bypass valve is of great convenience as it will allow the water to run around the filter. Thus you won’t need to cut the entire water supply when a change of filter is imminent. The manufacturer claims that the life of each filter is about 15 000 gallons. That being said, bear in mind that the water pressure will actually decrease significantly as time passes by. The system might also leak and that’s a common problem with it. While you do not necessarily need a mounting bracket, had one been provided, it would have been great.

9. DuPont WFPF13003B Universal Whole House Filter

A great budget option is presented to you when it comes to the DuPont WFPF13003B Whole House Filter. You will enjoy about 15 000 gallons of fresh water before you need to change the filter. The value for money is further enhanced if you opt to get 4-5 cartridges at the same time. Why limit yourself to 2 or 3 when you can have an impressive chain of full house filters? This will allow you to have various filters which will get rid of all the contaminants in the world for you. Since the inlet and outlet sizes are all standards, you will have absolutely no issues installing the device. However, the body of the unit isn’t exactly tough. You have to watch it when attaching the piping and tightening the screws. It also won’t remove fluoride but that is to be expected. Attaching a water softener to it is optional.

10. Home Master HMF3SDGFEC Whole House Water Filter

This is another typical 3-stage whole house filtration system but there is a slight difference when it comes to the 2nd cartridge. As usual, the 1st level will remove sediment and will take care of most solid particles in your water. The 2nd filter, however, works strictly towards reducing the levels of iron. It will decrease the amount of iron in your water by 95%. The 3rd part is all about purifying your water from chemicals and herbicides. The set is a rich one as it also includes a casing for your cartridges, a mounting bracket, a housing wrench and a manual. By now you have perhaps realized that this device doesn’t come cheaply. It is for those willing to spend more but get more at the same time. The fact that this whole house filtration system doesn’t remove fluoride can be somewhat a letdown. You might also need help installing it.

Becoming Familiar With Whole House Filters

A whole house water filtration system will make all the difference in the world when it comes to using municipal water. People who rely on well water will also see outstanding benefits from having such a system in place.

The device is mounted right at the entry point of the water lines into your house. This way the water is filtered before it reaches any faucets or heaters inside your home. As our guide unfolds, you will quickly learn about all aspects of whole house filtration systems, their benefits, installation etc.

How The Whole House Filtration Works?

The main purpose of this type of water purification is to provide you with cleansed water everywhere in your home. This means that you will not have to **look for specialized faucet water filters** or anything like it. The water that you will be getting will come ready to use.

The major difference here is that the filtration happens on more than one stage. When you want to get a whole house filter for city water, you cannot expect to settle for just one unit. This means that most sets that you will encounter will typically feature a few cartridges strung together.

And that’s how the magic happens. Some water enters the first cartridge through the intake water lines and is then filtered. Some call this phase the pre-filtering phase because this is when larger particles are removed. The first cartridge usually accommodates a sediment filter which filters down to 5 microns. The most popular units don’t even go that low. Other options include

50 micron

20 micron

10 micron

It is important to note that this stage rarely gets rid of chemicals or other finer contaminants. What it does is to mainly take some load off the other filters in the chain. Chlorine removal is the bread and butter of the second cartridge although there are variations.

Some sets will include a 2nd stage in which iron or aluminum is removed. This is where typically a carbon filter is used. The full name is Activated, Carbon Filter. What it basically does is that it “sticks” to the harmful particles in your water and traps them there. Only some purified water makes its way to the next stage.

The Final Parts of Each Mixed Media Filtration System

The 3rd stage also features activated carbon or activated charcoal. This is the “finest” stage of the 3 as its main task is to get rid of the last remaining impurities in your water. The possible filtration here can be down to 0.35 micron although this is a very unpopular solution. Typically, 5 micron is the selection. Pesticides, herbicides, viruses and other similar contaminants are all removed during that stage.

You are free to mount more cartridges, of course. Some homeowners opt for 4 or 5 filters in a row. This will definitely give you more effectiveness but it will also mean that you will need more room to install the device. Additionally, you will need to think about maintenance and filter changes. The more thorough the filtration, the more you will have to pay.

Some users might want to go for a UV filter or **maybe a top-notch water softener**. Both options are viable and if you want to maximize the functionality of your whole house water filter, then get some additional mechanisms or cartridges installed as well.

Here’s What The Whole House Filter Will Remove?

The 3 most common contaminants found in municipal water as per the consumer reports about whole house water filters are:

Sediment

Iron

Chemicals

It needs to be pointed out that municipal water supplies which have already dealt with sediment are easier to filter at home. Many households, in fact, rely on a number of other, simpler and very popular methods of water filtration. This is because most filters will cleanse the water from chemicals and odor.

If you are looking to get rid of sediment, though, this usually means that you will need additional filtration. That’s why getting a whole house water filter is the best option in terms of money and functionality. So in short, every next stage is finer than the previous one.

The Two Types Of Iron In Water

Iron in water comes in two main forms. There’s the red iron also called ferric. It is basically rust and that’s why the color. This is actually real iron that you would otherwise drink unless you use a filter. In this case, the sediment filter will take care of that contaminant.

The second type is the one that you cannot see. It is called ferrous and it is dissolved in water. Thus the name “clear water iron”. That’s where your 2nd stage of filtering comes in handy. This is a finer form of iron and the sediment filter will not catch it. During this stage, other well-known metals are also typically filtered out of your water. We are talking about lead and aluminum. Both can lead to significant health issues if present in your drinking water.

Last But Not Least Comes Chlorine

The 3rd stage handles so much more than just chlorine. However, this is the main chemical used in municipal water. Fortunately, people looking for a whole house filter for good water will not need such a cartridge.

While chlorine is an important disinfectant, it is actually not very good for you or your body. Not to mention that the water obtains odor and is not crystal clear anymore. This stage is usually where the finest filtration takes place and it can be down to 0.35 micron. 5 micron, however, sounds way more realistic. Chlorine leaves behind plenty of byproducts and they are carcinogenic. They are called DBPs.

Other popular chemicals are herbicides and pesticides which are there to kill viruses and prevent any fungi and algae from forming. You won’t be thrilled to have such chemicals in your water, though, and this is why they should be filtered out as well. Again, this happens in the 3rd stage after all the solid particles have already been removed by the previous filters.

Benefits of Utilizing a Whole House Filtration System at Home

By now, you have perhaps grasped which are the main upsides of having such a great filtration device at home, but for the sake of the guide will list the main ones. Who knows, we might mention some that you haven’t yet realized they exist.

Clean water comes out of every faucet at home

And this also includes showers. Really, a whole house water filter is pretty much the only thing that will also give you clean water from your showers. It is fantastic that your whole family has access to cleansed water without the need to drag any jugs around or walk to a specific sink because only it has filtered water.

Disease prevention

Regardless of the fact whether you buy a green whole house water filter or not, it will still be exceptionally effective when it comes to your health. Since the filtration can be pretty thorough, it will get rid of all sorts of viruses and fungi. You don’t want bacteria making its way into your drinking water anyway. And yet, bear in mind that the most effective way to get rid of water contaminants thoroughly is by getting a top notch water distiller. It’s a niche item, however, because it can’t handle massive amounts of water.

Skin care

This is an aspect which is greatly overlooked by many households. Bear in mind that a whole house water filter for hard water can do wonders for you. Even if you do not have a water softener, which is a separate device, you will still enjoy the clean water on your skin. This way a number of skin diseases are prevented and the skin feels soft and tender.

Chlorine is no more

This is, in fact, one of the main reasons why people go for water filtration in the first place. That’s because when something is visibly gone from the water, then the filter has to be good, right? Most top class cartridges will definitely get rid of the chlorine in your water. It will become odorless and will also taste better. Furthermore, chlorine is released into the air after it leaves your glass of water. With a filtration system, that’s not the case anymore.

Effects of allergies and asthma are reduced

An important thing to know is that clean water is not just great for drinking but it also doesn’t release anything harmful into the air. People will asthma or any sort of allergies related to stuff found in water will quickly see the benefits of having a whole house water filter.

Great when you don’t have a municipal water supply

People who travel in an RV or rely on well water will be absolutely ecstatic to use a cartridge or two. There are those units which do not have to be in a set of 3. You can use a single cartridge and hook it to your RV water inlets. This will give you mobility and portability as well as purified water to enjoy.

When it comes to utilizing a well, you will likely need at least 2 cartridges. In any case, you do get plenty of flexibility and convenience. Just make sure to check if your well water contains metals besides sediment. This might call for the use of more filters.

The Types of Filters You Have At Your Disposal

So we kept mentioning phrases such as “a few cartridges” or “the first filter is a sediment filter” but we never got to explain the main types of filters used in most devices. So if you are on the hunt for the best whole house water filter cartridge, abort your mission and simply see which filter does what.

Sediment filters – these are the most popular filters and they are typically 1st in line when we talk about water being filtered through a number of cartridges. Many times they would be added to your typical carbon filter system. This type of cartridge needs to be replaced frequently as it fights “the big boys” when it comes to contaminants.

Activated carbon filters – also known as charcoal medium carbon filters. They are not expensive but will filter out the most contaminants from your water. A regular carbon filter can handle metals such as iron but will also rid you of chlorine. Such a filter will also not affect the mineral content of the water.

Alkaline filters – typically found in water filter pitchers. You will rarely see such a filter in a whole house system. During the process of alkalinization, the pH levels of your drinking water are increased.

Ceramic filters – also a rare breed. They are good when you want to filter your water down to the smallest of microns. A ceramic filter can give you 0.35 micron but this is rarely needed. Since the material of the filter is basically metal, it will discharge metal ions. They are actually the ones to destroy the tiniest of bacteria in your drinking water.

Reverse osmosis filters – this is a debatable device as it also destroys most minerals in the water. However, reverse osmosis is the only process to get rid of fluoride.

Selecting the Right Whole House Water Filter

No two households have the same needs and priorities and this is why you have plenty of options when it comes to certain features of your filtration system. Choose from a wide array of products and focus on their specific properties. We will outline the main ones.

Filter Size Should Be Taken Into Consideration

Size matters and when we are talking about a filter, it truly is an important characteristic. Most units in this class come with a 10-inch filter. This means that the actual filter is 10 inches long. This is the most popular standard and the great thing is that those filters are sort of universal.

Some brands make their own series of filters and users are free to choose the type they want. There are some products with longer filters but this also means that your selection will be significantly narrowed down.

The Life Of Your Filter

Nobody wants to change a filter constantly. A great advantage of those heavy duty whole house water filtration systems is that their filters can handle a huge load over an extended period of time. What this means is that unlike your simple water pitcher filter, here you won’t need to replace anything for about a year. Of course, if you get a whole house water filter for hard water, it might have a shorter life because of the beating that it will take.

An exclusion from this rule is the smaller whole house filters which are suitable for use while camping or in an RV. They might have a shorter life. Speaking of life, the usual lifespan is about 150 000 gallons annually. This ought to be more than enough to service your whole family’s drinking, cooking, and hygiene needs.

Strength Of Water Flow

That’s a topic which is extremely important to some users. The finest units out there will give you a maximum of 20 gallons per minute and this is a goodly number. If you want to get this type of water flow then you might need to pay a little more than average. After all, filtration should slow down the rate at which your water comes out of the faucet.

A not so heavy duty option is the 10 or 15 gallons per minute filters. Some might even go down to 5. Even this is not a bad number because it should be more than enough for any type of domestic use.

Microns And Their Significance

You sort of can alter these values by getting a different filter later on but for the sake of the guide, we simply need to mention microns. So threat the filters as a sieve. The finer it is, the fewer contaminants and particles will make it through.

So a 20-micron filter will let some relatively larger particles through while a 5-micron filter will stop them. You are still better off utilizing a few filters of a different micron variation because you don’t want any clogging to happen. If your water doesn’t have sediment, then you can go straight to a filter that works at a smaller number of a micron. Test your water before making a decision is the piece of advice we can give you.

General Maintenance Of Your Full House Water Filter

This last section aims at pointing out the two obvious procedures that you need to execute in order to have a fully functioning domestic filtration system for a long time. The first one is the installation of your unit as if it isn’t carried out properly, it will cause you significant headaches.

The second topic is about how to change your filters after they’ve worn out. If you do not do that you will pretty much have a worthless filtration system as it won’t function. Furthermore, it might even damage your water and render it completely undrinkable.

The Right Way to Install a Whole House Water Filter

Now before you run outside to shut out the main water supply, you should do some prep stuff. For instance, why not put together the canister and the cartridge? No matter how many filters you want to string together, assemble them all prior to cutting any pipes. These are just little tips when it comes to properly install your whole house water filter.

After the water has been shut off, run back to your basement, garage or mechanical room. You have to locate the inlet water pipe – the one that takes the water from the street and brings it to your house. You will need to cut the pipes around the existing valve because you want to have two shut off valves with those filters.

Something to keep in mind is to perhaps attach a piece of plywood to the wall so that the casing of the filters can be put on it. If you are lucky to have solderless fittings, your whole project will be easier because you just snap the pipes on to them. If that’s not the case, then you should get some Teflon tape and prepare for some soldering.

Cut the pipe carefully using a hacksaw without kinking the blade. Now is the time to connect the inlet and your water filter. There should be a shut-off valve right before the filter. The same needs to be done after the filter so that the water can go back into the house. Another valve is placed there as well.

You are pretty much ready to go. Start the water, release both shut-off valves and if there aren’t any leaks then you are all set. The wrench that comes with the set wasn’t used, right? Don’t worry, it will help you when you want to change the filter.

Replacing The Old Filter With a New One

So grab that wrench and unscrew the filter (shut off the water supply prior to that, of course). The lid will remain there as it is connected to the fittings. Water will drip down but that’s fine. Be ready, the filter will look nasty. If some 15 000 gallons have passed through it, it will likely be all brown, rusty and gooey. Dispose of it properly.

Dump the remaining water from the canister and clean the canister thoroughly. Wipe out the inside of the lid as well. It will surely have some residual rust in it. We will assume you have gotten the same filter as the old one. The filter is hallowed and it will snap right on the bottom of the canister.

Yep, you guessed it right, now screw the canister back on to the lid. Use the wrench if necessary. Do not push very hard because something might break. After all, these parts are all plastic. Run the water and check for leaks. That’s it.

Best Whole House Water Filter Comparison Chart

PRODUCT

PRICE

DIMENSIONS

WEIGHT

CAPACITY

REMOVES

Aquasana Whole House Water Filter

$$$$$

9 x 46 x 69"

94 pounds

1,000,000 gallons or 10 years

97% of chlorine / 99.99% of viruses and bacteria

Culligan WH-HD200-C Whole House Heavy Duty Filter

$$

7.5 x 8.3 x 16.3"

8.77 pounds

2- 4 months

All sorts of sand, silt and sediment ,fullest, getting rid of odor, chlorine as well as metals

Express Water Whole House Filter System

$$$

23.5 x 8.5 x 29.5"

65 pounds

Each filter is about 15 000 gallons

Sediment, chlorine and pesticides

Aqua Filter Plus Whole House Water Filter

$$

14.6 x 8 x 7.8"

7.15 pounds

N / A

Chemicals

3M Aqua Pure AP903 Whole House Water Filtration System

$$$

6 x 6 x 27"

9.8 pounds

100,000 gallon

Sediment, Dirt and Rust, Chlorine Taste and Odor

iSpring WGB22B 2-Stage Whole House Water Filtration System

$$$

15.5 x 8.5 x 26"

35.3 pounds

100,000-gallon

up to 98 percent of sediment, chlorine, chloramines, chemicals

Culligan HD-950A Whole House Water Filter

$$

7.5 x 7.5 x 14"

5.45 pounds

4 times the capacity of standard duty filter systems

Rust, sand, scale, sediment

Watts WH-LD Premier Whole House Water Filtration System

$

7.5 x 5.5 x 14"

4.47 pounds

15 000 gallons

Sediments, dirt and rust

DuPont WFPF13003B Universal Whole House Filter

$

13.7 x 4.8 x 4.6"

2.1 pounds

15 000 gallons

Chlorine , Chemicals

Home Master HMF3SDGFEC Whole House Water Filter

$$$$

24 x 9 x 25"

48 pounds

100,000 gallon

up to 95-percent of iron, manganese, sediment, chemicals and other contaminants

Wrapping Up

Well, there you have it. Our guide to getting the best whole house waterfilter will end here. Our crew has conducted all that research in an attempt to make your decisions easier. It is apparent that such an addition to your home would be great. Make sure to go back and re-read some info if you aren’t sure how to proceed.

Hopefully, you have already picked the right product for yourself and have learned how to mount it, maintain it etc. In case you think we have missed something, please let us know. Feel free to leave us a comment and share the article with others. Thanks for reading and as always – stay put.